TUS NUA - ch33

TUS NUA – ch 33

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

After disclosing the facts as they knew them, Mia stood and as her heart ached for the little girls, said, “Mom, Dad, Aintin once you think they’re well enough and while you wait to find their parents, I’d like to move in here and take care of them. I know I can do it. It’s what I want to do. That is, if no one has any objections.”

Everyone in the room quieted, each having their own thoughts but hesitated to voice them.

It was Morena who walked to her daughter and put her arm around Mia’s shoulder.

“Mia, honey, that’s a wonderful gesture but a horrible idea for a number of reasons. Let’s begin with the fact that you’re only eighteen, and don’t forget, while your actual birth occurred eighteen years ago today, you in fact, still have another two hours to go. So, technically, you’re still only seventeen. Then there’s the fact that less than one hour ago, you and Francis became engaged. You can’t just push him aside for two little ones you don’t know while they have all of us to care for them. Another point is that you have the appointment at our house with the headmaster of the university. And don’t forget, They’re deaf. They can neither hear you nor speak to you. And, I might add, you don’t know their sign language. Their sign language ISL not ASL. That’s a huge difference. I could probably think of at least a dozen other reason if I sat down long enough but, while your intentions are impeccable, as your mother, I would sincerely and lovingly discourage you.”

“And don’t forget! You have me!”

Everyone in the room turned and gasped as a new portal opened.

Finola took a weak step backwards and balanced herself on the edge of the large wooden table. Neil hurriedly rushed to her side and placed an arm around her in fear she might stumble and fall.

The stranger walked over to Finola and said, “Hello, Mom,” then fell on her knees.

Neil looked almost angry as he said, “Nora! It’s about damn time you came home. Do you have any idea what you’ve put your maam through?”

“Neil, I know and I can’t even begin to say I’m sorry enough but until Ivy came along, I was the youngest witch in the family.” Nora looked at her mother, “All of you knew who you were and what to do with your abilities. No matter how you tried to help me, I still felt as though I was floundering. I decided the best way to find myself was to leave, wander around, experiment. I felt even more lost when da died. Mom, you had Neil, Alistar and his family. I just felt awkward and alone. While I blocked all of you from seeing me, I never blocked any of you from my sight.”

Nora’s eyes filled with tears. “Mom, I don’t expect forgiveness for leaving. I don’t deserve forgiveness for not letting you know where I was. I just hope that in time, you might be able to understand what I did and why. I truly am sorry I hurt you so much.”

Finola, being the loving witch and mother she’d always been, reached out and pulled her daughter up and in for a hug. “Oh, mo ghra. Welcome home.” Finola didn’t want to let go but also felt her daughter’s emotions. Nora nodded. “I’ve lifted the block. From now on, you’ll know where I am and what I’m doing. Would you allow me to come home?”

“Oh, Nora, my Nora. In my heart, you never left.”

“Would you allow me to speak with the wee ones?”

She looked at the little girls sitting together on the couch. As she neared where they were sitting, Nora pulled a chair with her and sat directly in front of them. In Irish Sign Language, she asked, “Caroleena, are you hungry? I hear we have a lamb stew. It’s my favorite. I can smell the aroma and know that’s almost ready to eat.”

The child smiled and nodded her head.

Nora reached out gently grasped Caroleena’s hand, then releasing her hand, signed, “Sweetie, have you ever met your grandparents?”

The child shook her head no. Nora thought, ‘well, that answers that question!’

“Caroleena, do you remember how you ended up with the big dirty house?”

She nodded. “Kevin brought us there.”

“Do you remember who Kevin is?”

The girl shook her head no. “Just some boy we met on the streets. We were looking for food. It was raining and he said he knew where we could hide from the weather. We went with him. Then, one day, he was gone.”

Nora related Caroleena’s story to everyone.

Finola smiled and projected her thoughts to her daughter. “Nora, mo ghra. You’ve grown in so many ways since you’ve been gone. Even though I missed you terribly, I’m so very proud of you.”

Dara called out. “Supper’s ready and about to be put on the table. Hope everyone’s hungry.”

Mia walked quickly to her cousin and while hugging her said, “Oh, Dara. Thank you so much for my birthday supper. Lamb stew is perfect for my birthday supper.”

Dara quickly grabbed Mia’s left hand. “Not so fact, Mia. I want a closer look at the ring Francis gave you before you get flooded with the family of onlookers after we eat.”

Mia laughed, held out her hand, then smiled. “Oh, Dara. I had no idea. I didn’t even know Francis was home.”

Dara laughed. “Now, you know why Aintin blocked your thoughts.”

Mia’s smile broadened. “Yeah, I do. She’s really something. I fell in love with her when we moved here but after spending so much time with her, my love has grown in leaps and bounds.”

“She’s a very special aunt. And while, as Nora said, we’re all witches, we can still learn so much from Finola.”

Nora thought about the children at the table and knew she could easily find out about their parents. However, realizing whatever she did would be the wrong way to do anything, she opted to allow the authorities to take control. “After all,” she thought to herself, “they’ll need to close this tragic file.”